1. Avoriaz, Haute-Savoie

A clever aspect of the design of Avoriaz, straddling the border with Switzerland, is that the slopes remain in the shade for nearly all of the day, but the modern, purpose-built resort is bathed in sun.

There are more than 130 kilometres in the vicinity, while the resort is also at the heart of the Portes du Soleil domain offering another 650 kilometres and 283 runs.

Most of the connecting slopes are high-altitude, suiting skiers with a bit more knowhow.

But there’s a superb ski school with lessons that adapt to parents’ own tuition schedules.

Freestylers can express themselves in the super-pipe and five snowparks, while people in need of off-piste can christen the eight metres of fresh powder that falls every season.